August 29 / 19.55 Worcester

19.55

Good

Richard Hitchings Memorial Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £3406.24
  • 2m 7f 0y
  • Class 5
  • 9 runners
SKY
View Course
Richard Hitchings Memorial Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

13/2 (Won)

  • Win: £4.50
  • Place: £1.60

Form: 8-P232 D

Last run: 7 days

W: 11st 5lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Only 2-49 under rules but placed in his last three starts and gave it everything when a rallying second over C&D last week; thereabouts if that hard race hasn't left a mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

25th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 32y

Class 4

15:00 Bangor-on-Dee

Classic Concorde

11st 10lb

J: Harry Atkins

T: David Brace

Veteran who is on a losing run but ran well enough for a long way in a Class 2 handicap at Chepstow two months ago (2m7f, good to soft) to command respect at this lower level; goes well on this ground.

6/1

10th

1

11th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 4

17:10 Chepstow

Classic Concorde

12st 0lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: David Brace

Won twice over C&D in 2023-24 season and ran well when fourth over C&D in February but this 12yo is far too inconsistent to rely upon nowadays, and has been absent since two heavy defeats in the spring.

20/1

5

24th Apr 2025

Good

3m 1f 0y

Class 3

15:37 Warwick

Classic Concorde

10st 13lb

J: Connor Brace

T: David Brace

Veteran who has proved far from consistent since winning a Pertemps qualifier at Chepstow 14 months ago; not the percentage call.

16/1

13/2

  • Place: £2.00

Form: /050-1 C

Last run: 69 days

W: 10st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Modest maiden form but it was all change when driven out to make a successful handicap debut over 2m4f here (good) in June; could easily cope with the 7lb rise and this longer distance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

9th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 4

19:37 Warwick

Best Mate Dave

12st 0lb

J: Mr Frederick Philipson-Stow

T: Oliver Edward Hayes

Sole success came over hurdles in June 2023; last of three finishers at Leicester (2m6f, heavy) in February and beaten three times in points since, including in a match; has his work cut out here.

20/1

3rd

2

12th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 6f 151y

Class 5

16:25 Leicester

Best Mate Dave

12st 0lb

J: Mr Charlie Case

T: Oliver Edward Hayes

Sole win came over hurdles in June 2023 off a basement mark; he's up against it on his second start back from an absence.

33/1

6

12th Nov 2024

Good

3m 1f 44y

Class 5

13:50 Hereford

Best Mate Dave

11st 1lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: D J Jeffreys

Remains 6lb above his sole hurdle win (2m4f, good) but he didn't run badly when tried in cheekpieces on second chase start when just over a 4l fifth here (2m5f) last month; each-way claims if responding well to the first-time blinkers back up in trip.

10/1

5/1

  • Place: £3.50

Form: 221 CD

Last run: 40 days

W: 12st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
3m point winner so no real surprise to see him improve for the longer trip when leading late on in a C&D maiden last month (second run in cheekpieces); this mark asks a question of him, however.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

9th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 2f 0y

Class 3

16:23 Warwick

Woodie Flash

12st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

raced lazily

2/1

1st

4

27th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 2

14:10 Chepstow

Woodie Flash

11st 9lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Second-season hurdler who won by 6l at Ffos Las (3m, good to soft) on reappearance and was a good second at Newbury (3m, soft) later in November; up another 5lb but progressing well.

7/2

1st

4

27th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 2

14:10 Chepstow

Woodie Flash

11st 9lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Second-season hurdler who won by 6l at Ffos Las (3m, good to soft) on reappearance and was a good second at Newbury (3m, soft) later in November; up another 5lb but progressing well.

7/2

Form: P0-U43

Last run: 40 days

W: 10st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Beaten under 10l in his two completed handicaps but handicap mark hasn't really moved and he'll need more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

7

18th Oct 2025

Good

2m 6f 7y

Class 5

17:05 Stratford

Inspector Lynley

10st 3lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Neil Mulholland

Beaten 20l by a handicap blot when second at Fontwell (2m5f, good) and was then a disappointing favourite at Southwell; however, he is on his last winning mark and Sean Bowen takes over.

7/2

7

2nd Oct 2025

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

17:15 Southwell

Inspector Lynley

10st 11lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Neil Mulholland

Just 1-17 over hurdles but returned from break with fairly good second at Fontwell (2m5f, good) last month, albeit no threat to a handicap blot; will be fine over today's longer trip; high on the list.

3/1

5

7th Sep 2025

Good

2m 5f 164y

Class 5

14:12 Fontwell

Inspector Lynley

10st 9lb

J: Harriet Tucker

T: Neil Mulholland

Now back on same mark as for hard-fought success at Stratford (2m6f, good) last summer but returned from break with low-key C&D run in May and has been absent for another four months since.

10/1

Form: 640-36

Last run: 10 days

W: 11st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Winning hurdler/chaser; sits on a career-low mark but his recent third was remote and he's been struggling for a while in both disciplines.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

14th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 180y

Class 4

14:33 Perth

Red Happy

12st 0lb

J: Jonathon Bewley

T: George Bewley

Completed a hat-trick at around 3m in February/March 2025 but not seen again until refusing to race when a 20-1 shot at Kelso 24 days ago; can only watch after that.

12/1

5

20th Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 96y

Class 3

15:30 Kelso

Red Happy

11st 2lb

J: Jonathon Bewley

T: George Bewley

In excellent form in February/March 2025, winning three in a row at around 3m (good to soft/good), but has fitness to prove after 393-day absence and will need to hit the ground running to have any chance off current mark.

15/2

1st

4

23rd Mar 2025

Good

3m 0f 110y

Class 2

15:20 Carlisle

Red Happy

11st 10lb

J: Jonathon Bewley

T: George Bewley

in touch with leaders

7/1

Form: 265112 C

Last run: 10 days

W: 11st 11lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Ten-time winner, though only twice over hurdles; kept finding to very nearly bring up a hat-trick over fences at Perth (3m; first two wins over 2m4f) and he's off a 20lb lower mark than that day now back hurdling.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

8th Jul 2024

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

14:35 Worcester

Judge Earle

12st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Peter & Michael Bowen

made all, pushed along after 4 out, 2 lengths ahead when not fluent 3 out, ridden before 2 out, kept on well run-in

12/1

8th

5

19th Jun 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

14:40 Worcester

Judge Earle

11st 11lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Peter & Michael Bowen

in touch with leaders

33/1

7th

8

1st Jun 2024

Good To Soft

3m 3f 119y

Class 3

19:30 Stratford

Judge Earle

11st 6lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Peter & Michael Bowen

As good as ever last summer, winning twice over 2m4f (good to soft/soft); has won over 3m2f in the past (hurdling) but has performed poorly on either side of a break and he's knocking on now.

16/1

Form: P/F-73

Last run: 33 days

W: 10st 12lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
0-12 under rules; latest 11l third over C&D on soft ground was mildly encouraging and this 8yo still has low mileage.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

19th Oct 2023

Good To Firm

3m 1f 30y

Class 5

16:52 Wincanton

Off The Planet

11st 3lb

J: Oscar Palmer

T: Joe Tickle

0-13 under rules and fell early when tried once before over fences two years ago; subsequent hurdling exploits leave him with further questions to answer; had wind surgery since latest start.

20/1

7th

11

29th Aug 2023

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

19:55 Worcester

Off The Planet

10st 12lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Joe Tickle

0-12 under rules; latest 11l third over C&D on soft ground was mildly encouraging and this 8yo still has low mileage.

20/1

3rd

7

27th Jul 2023

Soft

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

17:07 Worcester

Off The Planet

11st 6lb

J: Mr Oscar Palmer

T: Joe Tickle

Not totally disgraced on stable debut at Newton Abbot last month but this maiden still makes modest appeal now back up in trip.

33/1

Form: /4PFP-

Last run: 201 days

W: 11st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Point winner who went 0-9 under rules for Joe Tizzard (in same ownership) and failed to complete in his last three chases; placed in two novice hurdles earlier in career and on a dangerous mark if new trainer can get him going again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

3

21st Nov 2023

Good To Soft

2m 7f 95y

Class 5

13:20 Fakenham

Aki Bomaye

11st 13lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jack Jones

Lost his way over fences for Joe Tizzard, and debut effort returned to hurdles for new connections extended his run of non-completions to four; likely hopes rest more on wind surgery than a further 3lb drop.

14/1

0

5

29th Aug 2023

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

19:55 Worcester

Aki Bomaye

11st 10lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Jack Jones

Point winner who went 0-9 under rules for Joe Tizzard (in same ownership) and failed to complete in his last three chases; placed in two novice hurdles earlier in career and on a dangerous mark if new trainer can get him going again.

8/1

2

9th Feb 2023

Good To Soft

2m 3f 189y

Class 5

14:25 Huntingdon

Aki Bomaye

11st 13lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

took keen hold, midfield, pushed along briefly before 7th, pushed along, ridden and no impression before 3 out, pulled up before 2 out

8/1

Form: 321224 D

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Maintained his momentum when just failing at Market Rasen (2m4f) two starts back and again didn't run badly at Bangor; likely to go well again having won at 2m6f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

8

21st May 2024

Good

2m 3f 137y

Class 5

20:10 Huntingdon

Lighthouse Mill

11st 1lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: David Dennis

1-19 over hurdles, the win gained at Stratford (2m6f, good to firm) just under a year ago; back down to a workable mark now but absent since two disappointing runs towards the end of last summer.

14/1

9th

8

21st May 2024

Good

2m 3f 137y

Class 5

20:10 Huntingdon

Lighthouse Mill

11st 1lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: David Dennis

1-19 over hurdles, the win gained at Stratford (2m6f, good to firm) just under a year ago; back down to a workable mark now but absent since two disappointing runs towards the end of last summer.

14/1

8th

1

13th Sep 2023

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 5

17:20 Uttoxeter

Lighthouse Mill

12st 0lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: David Dennis

Came good with clearcut win at Stratford (2m6f, good to firm) in June and was very close second in quite valuable contest at Market Rasen (2m4f, good to soft) the following month; good claims if judged on that evidence but needs to bounce back from a poor run a fortnight ago.

12/1

Non-runners

Blue Sans, Masterdream, Getthepot

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £20.20
Straight Forecast £20.15
Tricast £169.36
Trifecta £138.70

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Judge Earle

SPOTLIGHT:

Best Mate Dave

The Sun:

Woodie Flash

POSTDATA:

Blue Sans

D Express:

Aki Bomaye

Daily Mirror:

Masterdream

Daily Record:

Woodie Flash

Telegraph:

Best Mate Dave

The Star:

Best Mate Dave

WEST COUNTRY:

Blue Sans

The Times:

Judge Earle

The Guardian:

Judge Earle

Daily Mail:

Judge Earle